Extra Weight Affect on Appearance, Age, etc

Wookinpanub

Obviously society says thin is what looks good. I posted some before and after pics in my profile. They are work headshots and I was wearing the same suit and similar shirt and tie. I received so many comments that I looked younger. I am 42 btw. I was curious why extra weight and fat makes one look older? Maybe its a stupid question. Does it make the skin not as "fresh"? Do people just associated extra weight with aging? Does extra weight affect hair loss? My brother put on a lot of weight, I mean a lot. I noticed his hair thinning out during this time and had a very dull look to it.

besaro

idk, i think i look older since losing weight, but i get to shop in the jr dept (yeah, I'm one of those), I'm more active, move more gracefully and spryly, also i smile more, so my overall appearance may seem younger.

sakuragreenlily

I think it depends on the person but I have seen a lot of folks who appear younger when they lose weight. Maybe they just look happier and more energetic?

I myself apparently look more like a woman... I uploaded some old pictures into a celebrity look alike generator online and my old pictures always matched up with male celebrities XD!!! My newer pics match up with women. So apparently losing weight has made me more feminine? lol

Jennloella

I think it depends on the person. I've seen some before/afters where the person looked happier after, so that made them look younger/better. I've also seen people look older after losing a lot of weight because of skin slackening. In general, carrying extra weight is unhealthy, yes this can affect circulation and skin, clarity of skin, etc. Be happy with the compliments and keep doing what you're doing!

mz_getskinny

I just compared your two pictures, and I also think you look younger now. But I honestly can't figure out why! I went back and forth several times, but I still couldn't figure out what about you looks younger. Very odd!

Jennloella

also you look more tan in your after photo. tan=youth for some reason. Even though it has quite the opposite effect, people are still drawn to it. As E-40 eloquently puts it, "put a tan on it then see what it do"

LivingtheLeanDream

You look younger in your slimmer profile pic. Well done on your weight loss
A slimmer face generally has a more youthful look. I think as we age we have to be careful not to lose too much as that can be more aging and yes, we are pre-programmed by all the images in the media to think slimmer=younger.
I look younger than I did, but I also feel close up that my wrinkles are a bit more noticeable now there is no fat puffing them out!

Wookinpanub

also you look more tan in your after photo. tan=youth for some reason. Even though it has quite the opposite effect, people are still drawn to it. As E-40 eloquently puts it, "put a tan on it then see what it do"

Yes, my pop my with a pin fat face pic was taken in February just before I started. The not as fat face picture was taken two weeks ago. Much tanner (and happier).

MinnieInMaine

I don't know if this makes sense but to me, a double chin, especially if quite draggy, makes me think of an older person. And that's what struck me as the major difference between your two pictures. I mean, obviously you've thinned out all over but face wise, the chin was what caught my eye.

Nice progress!

Liftng4Lis

Your pictures look great. I think whether or not someone looks older or younger is going to be dependent on the individual.

kelfran1

I was also going to say that the tan probably helps (perception-wise), since as a society we see tan=healthy and healthy=young. I don't study sociology, but that is my impression.

I will say that I think you look younger because you still have some meat on your face (in a good way). I've seen people who lose lots of weight and have a long face and/or extra skin and just look sunken in and older. I think rounder faces tend to look younger overall.

Wookinpanub

I don't know if this makes sense but to me, a double chin, especially if quite draggy, makes me think of an older person. And that's what struck me as the major difference between your two pictures. I mean, obviously you've thinned out all over but face wise, the chin was what caught my eye.

Nice progress!

Yikes - double chin. You're dead on but sometimes I had trouble admitting to myself I was that fat. I guess that is why I used to avoid mirrors all the time.

melduf

I think there is a fine line where losing just enough makes you look younger and then you lose too much and you look older. Especially for women. I'm very scared of that line but I'm not there yet...

Dragn77

I think also, that as we age and our metabolisms get slower, weight comes on easier... and so fit / thinner is equated with youth while not so fit / thicker is equated with aging...not on a conscious level I don't think though, which is why its hard to give a concrete reason "why"!!

I have pictures of myself from only 3 years ago, that people assume was from when I was in my mid 20's... and for sure, when I was thinner, I kept getting asked what I major in (I live right by a college) and way too young guys for me, being flirty with me. After gaining weight, people now assume Im in my early to mid 30's... 40 pounds essentially aged me by about 10 years!

It's bitter-sweet, on one hand, because Im 37, its nice to not look so young and get hit on my kids (yes, they are kids to me lol) anymore, and I'm taken more seriously too...but on the other hand, I miss the gush of compliments for how young I look. But thats just ego speaking =P I would be happiest to be back to a healthy weight yet still look around my own age.

daydreams_of_pretty

People sometimes look older when they lose weight due to face sagging, wrinkles, or using an unhealthy weightloss method. However, I think that most people look younger because being heavier can make you look more frumpy. I think that there is an invisible line where a person starts to look more worn out and less healthy, which translates to older looking. It's kind of a loss of freshness and vitality. When you lose some weight, increase activity, and hopefully increase the amount of vitamin-rich foods that you eat, some or all of that vitality returns and you all of a sudden look younger.

BTW, great job!

Kalikel

I think the after photo makes you seem a little older.

I look older to me, too. The fat puffed up ares where wrinkles would've been and when the fat began shrinking, the wrinkles began deepening.

You look really good in both pics. You have hot girlfriends, too. All men will envy you.

pinkiezoom

My word you do look younger, and more distinguished! i wonder if that is because you are holding yourself taller in the later picture? ( the distinguished part i mean )
I am not sure why, I am fat and people think I am younger than I am, afraid when i lose the weight i will look older :ohwell: Fingers crossed my outcome is as good as yours

CaitlinW19

I'm not sure about extra weight, but I do know most people look younger with just a bit more meat on their bones as they get older...by this I mean most people don't look good at their high school weight as they age...our skin loses elastisity (wish causes sagging and fine lines, etc) and an extra 10-20 pounds over that weight that was ideal in your youth helps your face to maintain more that look of youthful plumpness. When we get too thin as we age, our faces in particular tent to look drawn and bones look more prominent giving that sharp look. It's kind of a fine balance I think between the two extremes.

I think a part of losing weight tending to make most people appear younger probably has to do with feeling better about one's self and, as a result, putting a bit more effort into appearance. I know I get more lazy with my hair etc. if I feel frumpy already. I so think to an extent that fat is associated with age. Most people don't have an issue with weight when they are young.

Lesa_Sass

I think in my case it was the fact that I was treating my body better. Before I was pounding alcohol, smoking cigs and eating crap. Now I am sober 7 years, eat a nutrient dense diet and drink butt loads of water and have not smoked a cigarette in over 3 years.

I look younger at 46 than I did at 36.

shexy16

I'm really fat, 43, and people think I'm a lot younger than I really am. The fat fills in my face wrinkles. That being said, I'd like to not be fat...lol

I actually think you look younger in the before pic :-\

KIZGNARR

I think your facial features are more defined since you have lost so much weight... you look great! I love the new pic... and you definitely look like the smile is coming from the inside in the after pics! Keep up the GOOD WORK!!

Wookinpanub

When you lose some weight, increase activity, and hopefully increase the amount of vitamin-rich foods that you eat, some or all of that vitality returns and you all of a sudden look younger.

BTW, great job!

That makes sense. I am eating better and not drinking as much beer. I also work out a lot. At the end my workouts I sit in the sauna and I wonder if sweating helps the skin look fresher.

Many other good responses here.

Wookinpanub

I think your facial features are more defined since you have lost so much weight... you look great! I love the new pic... and you definitely look like the smile is coming from the inside in the after pics! Keep up the GOOD WORK!!

Yes, the weight loss help with confidence and self esteem.

Calliope610

Society in general associates fitness with youth. Therefore, the fitter you appear, the younger you appear.

And you have a tan now.

jemhh

I'm not sure if I look younger but I certainly look better and dress better and feel better. Maybe that can make you look younger.

alittlemopo

I think the after photo makes you seem a little older.

I look older to me, too. The fat puffed up ares where wrinkles would've been and when the fat began shrinking, the wrinkles began deepening.

You look really good in both pics. You have hot girlfriends, too. All men will envy you.

I thought it was just me lol, but I actually think he looks younger in the before pic.

I think I look older on this round of weight loss than I did heavy.

JoseCastaneda

I think many have pointed out this but, when thinner means healthier, it will be reflected in your skin, your hair, your eyes.

Sometimes, extra weight will hide some wrinkles in your face, and when you lose that weight, those wrinkles will be noticed... but in general, extra weight often means bad health, and that will be noticed too.

But anyway, I think the key is how healthy you're eating, and of course, when you lose weight in a healthy way (exercise, smart eating), you will look better too.

ritamild12

I agree with a lot of you that it does depend on the person. I think people can look older when they lose weight, because a chubby face can give a youthful appearance. As we age, it tends to make us look more gaunt due to the lost of fat in certain parts of our face, and the loss of elasticity with skin, which can also happen if we lose a lot of weight. However, I find most people look younger because of their attitude. You get happy, and that energy is contagious ! I have already lost nearly 100 lbs, and there are lots of problem areas of my body that come with that. But that is all unimportant to me. What matters right now is getting to a healthy sustainable weight and living a long life. So, however it shakes out in the end as far as the looks department, I will make peace with it the best I can :happy:

ritamild12

Your profile pic is also amazing haha!

ythannah

I'm not sure about extra weight, but I do know most people look younger with just a bit more meat on their bones as they get older...by this I mean most people don't look good at their high school weight as they age...our skin loses elastisity (wish causes sagging and fine lines, etc) and an extra 10-20 pounds over that weight that was ideal in your youth helps your face to maintain more that look of youthful plumpness. When we get too thin as we age, our faces in particular tent to look drawn and bones look more prominent giving that sharp look. It's kind of a fine balance I think between the two extremes.

This fits my observations. I've had several friends who have lost significant amounts of weight in the 45+ age group and wrinkles that were already there but previously plumped out by fat suddenly become more apparent. And none of those ladies approached "too thin" by any means. I also know older women with very low body fat (athletic, etc) who do tend to look older than their age because there is really nothing supporting the facial tissue.

OP still has enough "meat" on his face to look younger following weight loss, IMO.